Mohammedan Sporting 2 (Josimar – 63rd, Penn Orji – 70th)
beat
United Sikkim 1 (Adelaja – 85th )
By Debayan Mukherjee,
AIFF Media Team,
MANJERI: Mohammedan Sporting rode second half goals from Josimar da Silva and Penn Orji to beat United Sikkim 2-1 in their Federation Cup Group D game here at the MDSC Stadium in Manjeri on Tuesday (January 14, 2013).
Mohammedan Sporting’s talisman Josimar da Silva was involved in both the goals as he scored one and created the other for Penn Orji.
United Sikkim pulled one back in the 85th minute courtesy Nigerian striker Adaleja’s side-volley.
United Sikkim’s best chance came in the first half when their Nigerian striker Adelaja hit the bar. Mohammedan Sporting could have scored three had Sonala Bhutia not made a goalline clearance from Syed Rahim Nabi’s effort.
A barren first half saw an end-to-end second session where both the teams went all guns blazing from just before the hour mark.
Mohammedan Sporting took the lead in the 63rd minute when Josimar da stabbed from close after substitute Ashim Biswas had set him up.
In the very next minute, Nim Lepcha forced an athletic save from Luis Barreto who dived to his right to keep the United Sikkim striker’s shot at bay.
Just when United Sikkim looked to up the ante after falling behind, Josimar turned provider at the other end in the 70th minute for Penn to put the match to bed.
In the first half, Mohammedan expectedly had more goalmouth action than their counterparts. If Airtel I-League joint top-scorer Josimar Das Silva warmed United Sikkim goalkeeper Dibynedu Sarkar’s gloves in the 9th minute, Nabi’s stinging header from close was palmed away by the United Sikkim golakeeper in the 35th minute.
Mohammedan SC custodian Luis Barreto made a world-class save at the other end to deny United Sikkim midfielder Sukhwinder Singh.
Shop
